The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, May 14, 2001 at 6 p.m.   Members present were:  Larry Olliff, Fleta Pepper, Joe Harmon, Tim Lovezzola, Holly Young, Debbie Ryan Watts, Craig Brewer and Judson Trapnell.   Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver, Councilwoman Billie Tyler and Inspections Coordinator Laurel Harris were also in attendance.  Chairman Holly Young called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Larry Olliff.      Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.   

PUBLIC HEARING:  

1. Cingular Wireless/Conditional Use Request and Variance Request for a Telecommunications Tower in a residentially zoned area.  Attorney Paul Felser presented this request on behalf of Cingular Wireless and Crown Castle Communications.

Cingular Wireless is requesting a conditional use as well as a 125’ height variance to place a 160’ monopole tower in the northwest quadrant of Godley Station Blvd. and Benton Blvd.  The proposed tower will provide additional coverage to the north side of Pooler in and around the Wal-mart area.  Mr. Felser stated they have contacted all of the adjacent property owners around the site and have received no objections.  They have also followed all the FAA administrative procedures regarding proposed tower heights. The site location is undeveloped and will remain adequately screened and buffered.

Danny Scudder of Crown Castle Communications stated that the proposed tower is designed for four possible carriers.  Mr. Felser stated that Cingular Wireless has a significate gap in coverage and according to our FCC license we are required to provide continuous coverage to our customers.  Councilwoman Billie Tyler asked if the applicant could not use or co-locate on an existing tower already in the area.  Mr. Felser stated that co-locating is always the first option for consideration.  Charts were presented to the board showing existing coverage and gaps in coverage.  The closest cingular tower carrier is located behind the Food Lion. The issue of lighting would be dictated by FAA requirements.  Elizabeth Hill of American Tower appeared before the board to make them aware of her proposal for an alternate site off Jimmy Deloach Parkway approximately l/2 mile from the cingular site.  The application has been filed with the City of Pooler and a public hearing is scheduled for June 11^th before the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Miss Hill asked if the board would consider tabling this item and hearing both petitions on June 11^th.  With Miss Hill’s application, only a height variance would be needed.  In response, Mr. Felser stated that even though the towers may be close, the American Tower Site cannot provide the same coverage needs that Cingular Wireless requires in order to meet its license requirements.  Felser stated that this is not an either or situation and that each petition should be received and considered on it’s own merits. For the record, the Branigar Organization was not represented at this public hearing nor did they send any written comments.   Joe Harmon made a motion to approve the conditional use and height variance for Cingular Wireless contingent upon the site being adequately screened/buffered and lighting not being a nuisance to the adjacent residentially zoned areas and the churches proposed nearby.  Motion was seconded by Judson Trapnell and passed without opposition.            

OLD BUSINESS: 

2. Williams Hollow Final Plat Review/Approval.  Commissioner Debbie Ryan Watts excused herself from any discussion on this item due to a conflict of interest.  Mr. Fred Williams presented the plat to the board. This item was tabled at the last meeting to seek legal advice from the City Attorney regarding the notes on the plat that reference the owners of lot 3.  City Attorney Wiley Ellis stated that if the final plat met the subdivision requirements than the commission should not be concerned with the notes on the plat referencing lot 3.  Mr. Williams stated that Williams Hollow Subdivision would be a part of Pine Barren Plantation and the Home Owners Association. With no public comments, a motion was made by Larry Olliff to approve the final plat of Williams Hollow Subdivision.  Motion was seconded by Judson Trapnell and passed with Joe Harmon opposing.

3.  Discussion of ordinance change regarding shipping containers.  The board had received copies of the proposed ordinance with several changes that were discussed during the last meeting.  Commissioner Judson Trapnell recommended adding the word  “nonconsecutive” and leaving the maximum period for a permit at 60 days.  Following some discussion, a motion was made by Joe Harmon to send the proposed ordinance on shipping containers to council for their review and consideration. Motion was seconded by Craig Brewer and passed with no opposition.

New Business:  

4.  All American Glass Site Plan located at 505 Southwest Highway 80.    Aaron Walker presented the site plan to the board for their review and comments. Mr. Walker had the list of comments from Bill Nicholson and had already started working on getting them addressed.  He stated that he had called Mr. Dave Moody of the Georgia Department of Transportation regarding the proposed curb cut.  A motion was made by Judson Trapnell to approve the site plan contingent upon all of the comments being addressed including the D.O.T. curb-cut permit.  Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.  Regarding the landscape plan, Mr. Walker stated that he is willing to plant trees that are listed in the tree ordinance as “preferred trees”.  With no public comment, Debbie Ryan Watts made a motion to approve the landscape plan for All American Glass.  Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed with no opposition.  

5. Westbrook Subdivision, Phase I Revised Plat.   Steve Wohlfeil of HGB&D presented the revised plat of Westbrook Subdivision to the board for their review and approval. The board had been given a list of the changes that mainly involved some easements and the Lift Station.   Larry Olliff made a motion to approve the Westbrook Subdivision, Phase I revised plat.  Motion was seconded by Joe Harmon and passed with no opposition.    

6. The Preserve Phase II Site Plan review.   Craig Brewer excused himself from any discussion on this item due to a conflict of interest. Tom Cetti of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented the site plan to the board for their review and comments.

Mr. Cetti stated the plans have been revised to address all of the engineer’s comments and to delete an additional driveway off the Pooler Parkway that was not shown on the approved master plan.  With no public comments, Joe Harmon made a motion to approve The Preserve Phase II site plan contingent upon all of the engineer’s comments being addressed.  Motion was seconded by Judson Trapnell and passed without opposition. 

7.         Godley Villages, Phase 2A and 2B Final Plat Review and Approval.    Luther Cosner of EMC Engineering Services, Inc. presented the plats to the board for their review and approval.  The developer will be posting a bond for completion of the improvements in these phases in order for the plats to be recorded. Debbie Ryan Watts made a motion to approve the final plat of Godley Villages, Phase 2A and 2B, contingent upon the bonding issues being resolved prior to review by the Mayor and Council.  Motion was seconded by Joe Harmon and passed with no opposition. 

Mark Carpenter, owner of Savannah Skate Inn, appeared before the commission to discuss opening a skating rink along with miniature golf at the existing YMCA location.    A skating rink is not listed in our zoning ordinance anywhere.  Mr. Carpenter is asking the Planning and Zoning Commission to proceed with a zoning text amendment to add a skating rink where the board feels it is most appropriate. 

Mrs. Carver asked the board members if they could meet on Monday, Memorial Day.  With at least half of the board members unable to attend, Mrs. Carver stated the meeting would be cancelled due to lack of a quorum. 

There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Joe Harmon and seconded by Judson Trapnell.